The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1887-04-23
"COOkOI.0G

! With sHsnt lnutspoSluON, anu was
seized with a desire to go out into the
fresh spring atmosphere. Obeying the
impulse, donned my hat aud light
wrap and decided to make a morning
visit to friend who lived only a few
Squares away. AS I entered :he gate
Was surprised TO see the doors and win
dows closet, when it was their custom
Oh such days, to stand wide open and
let in the beautiful sunshine. l was ut
! drst impressed with the idea that some
menber of the family was sick and
With trembling hands ! pulled the
knocker dreading lest the noise should
disturb the sufferer. For several min~
utes ] waited, and no answer came to
ny summons. Somewhat relieved by
the delayed answer to my call, and tho
stiffness WHICH pervaded the house, /
apatn pulled the knocker, having fully
decided that my friend, like myself,
had been atiured by the deiishttui at
mosphere into the cnjoymen, OF q
pleasant walk. Desiring TO leave my
good wishes for the day, and 10 make
in nauiry about the health Of the family,
I again, for the third time, gave Il Wig
orOus putt At the knocker, and listened
Tor approaching footsteps. The same
dead stiffness reigned. by this time ]
had lost all hopes of gaining au en-
trance into the house, and walked to-.
ward the end Of the piazzs, hoping to
get glimpse OF some human being
with whom could leave message
for my friend. AS l passed ono of tho
windows heard " slight noise Gas the
r,,stling Of shaue) an,, in IA few min
utcs the voice OF my friend called out
from within; "Nou dear old girl! |
had intended to play not nj home to
every ono who called to-day, but as II
is you, aud you may bc of service to
ne, I'll let you in; cotnc right in, this
minute" Thc door was opened wide
enough to admit the, aud then quickly
closed and locked.
My friend was dressed III II morning
wrapper, the hom Of which was drawn
up around tho waist, and pinncd to-
sethcr at the back, apron fashion with
her sleeves rolled up above the elbow.
Tho thumb OF her left hanu was tied
uP aud bleeding, and long, red scar
'narrcd tho white beauty OF her right
arm. "What on earth is the matter!'
l said. "Well, Pm just nearly dead'
was the uiscOnsotato reply. My friend
Ieh the way TO the dining room, aud
seated herself in u high chair, which
she had evidently vacated at the first
sound OF the door bell. Before her
stood tho dishpan; in, and around
which, lay tho dishes that had been
used at breakfast. Just think I" she
began when We were seated "cook got
mad about something last night, and
this morning, she failed to put in an
appearance, and 1 have had such Il
time, trying TO get something for hus.
band aud TO eat, After spelling the
bread, in attempting to broil the meat,
| branded myself with this terrible
burn, and then dropped the meat into
the fire where 1t was entirely destroyed.
Seeing my awkwardness and pain,
husband proposed that we breakfast
On boiled eggs, tea aud tight bread,
and volunteered TO make the tea and
boil the eggs while l sliced the bread
and placed the butter on the table.
Overcome with shame at my ignorance
and utter helplessness in such an emer.
gency, I went to the breadbox, ana
blinded with tears commenced slicing
the bread, when all at once, the kniie
SHptet, dHt III some utt;trtOHhtabtc
way, took slice of the end of my
thumb. My cry of pain brought hus.
band to my side and after binding up
my wounded hand he placed me in "A
chair and bade me sit there until he
served my breakfast, which he did in
few minutes. lie has gone now in
search Of 4 cook, and as | sat here all
alone since he left mo, ! have resolved
to serve an apprenticeship under my
future cook, until ieel that am able
to fill the position Of cook with credit
to myself, as well as to The good man
to whom | am marricd.'
Right here reader, wish to pro-
pound two questions
II Il committee we're formed to invcs
tigaic the matter and make a report,
| how many wives would be found in
the iittIe city Of Monroe who would
prove themselves as ignorant and awk-
ward, as the lady mentioned above:
and secondly, how many husbands
would be found, who would be as good
nsturcd aud tcnicnt as the model huS,
! band mentioned above?
! Men, who arc worth having, wan,
wives who can grace the kitchen ~
well AZ tho parlor. Life has its rcaii-
ties as well aS its fancics, aud awful as
il may seem to some, good cooking is
ncscssary TO domestic happiness. am
by no means in sympathy with the
doctrine OF the tenth century when il
was thought that knowledge oi
rnaIiur and wiring yy.a ,.,,irutatpI IL,